PPE or personal protective equipment has been a barrier between the Covid-19 virus and the general public for the last 12 months (and counting). Healthcare workers are not the only ones who use PPE or other sanitizing equipment. Over the last year, with the majority of the public using PPE, items have been disposed of improperly at an exorbitant number.
A majority of PPE and sanitizing equipment is single-use, which creates an overwhelming and uncharted amount of trash. Common PPE found littered or disposed of improperly includes gloves and face masks, bottles of hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, paper towels, and tissues.
As the pandemic approaches the one year mark, the damage to the environment as a result of PPE disposal continues to increase. By disposing of this waste properly and making substitutions when we can, we can mitigate this overflow of waste.
A majority of PPE and sanitizing equipment is single-use, which creates an overwhelming and uncharted amount of trash. Common PPE found littered or disposed of improperly includes gloves and face masks, bottles of hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, paper towels, and tissues.
As the pandemic approaches the one year mark, the damage to the environment as a result of PPE disposal continues to increase. By disposing of this waste properly and making substitutions when we can, we can mitigate this overflow of waste.
- Single-use face masks
NOT recyclable and need to be put in the trash. Before throwing them away, cut the strings that go around your ears so they don’t cause harm to wildlife. - Gloves
NOT recyclable and need to be thrown out. - Plastic hand sanitizer bottles
ARE recyclable (as long as they are bigger than the travel size). Just make sure they are empty before recycling. - Sanitizing wipes and tissues
NOT recyclable and need to be thrown out.
When throwing out any PPE or sanitizing equipment, make sure they go in a trash bag that is tied at top to stop the spread of germs.
Some substitutions we recommend to reduce waste:
- Buy reusable (and washable) face masks. Have a few handy that can be rotated every other day to be washed.
- Buy hand sanitizer in bulk. This allows you to use less plastic and recycle the bigger bottles more easily.
- Switch to a rag and spray sanitizer for inside your home so you can wash the rag and reduce waste.
- Reduce your glove wearing, unless absolutely necessary, by washing your hands more often.
When in doubt, throw it out! Being unsure is okay, so do your research and be a part of the conversation. That is a great first step to taking care of each other and the environment around us. Once again, stay safe!
If you have any questions on how to dispose of waste properly, Pinard Waste Systems is always at your disposal! You can use the resources on our website or the resources at RecycleSmartNH.org.